An Inspiration fund...Buy American

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For whatever reason, a good portion of government aid for the ordinary citizens seems to have clogged up in one political bottleneck or the other. It just does not seem to be pouring out fast enough to meet people's immediate needs. The nation could use more jobs. Our state and local governments could use a little cash to spruce up our infrastructures and save our educational institutions. If I hear of another school closing or drive by another business location that was once thriving and now boarded up, I'll...no not scream, but pray harder. Buy American is as much a needed slogan as it is a needed reality. It could'nt hurt to emphasize the purchase of goods and products as well as continuing to buy into and not give up on the American Dream.

Banning together is the key. If we could just convince our legislators and the people they represent of this important phenomenon. I applaud the President for the job he is doing in the face of so much bitter and often times mean spirited opposition by House Republicans overdosing on infusions of Tea Party dogma. My prayer circle prays for him and our political leaders daily,including those whose views or tactics we don't necessarily agree with. Diversity within the unity is what makes democracy healthy.

Let's also keep this spirit of unity lifted up so that layers of delay and set back as has reared its head in the recent debt debate won't be a recurring reality. Perhaps if Community Awareness 101 with a prerequisite of a sleep over or field trip to a blighted and underprivileged area was required for all members of congress there would be more compassion for the poor. Financial predators who profit and gain from schemes and plans designed to benefit only themselves at the expense of others could be put on an intensive track.

Not caring about others as long as you get yours comes with a price. One that is at the end of the day really too high a price for such a great nation as ours to pay. Just look at where our country stands economically in relation to some countries that were once trailing us. That should speak volumes...

Happy 85th Birthday, Tony Bennett

Legendary crooner Tony Bennett receives birthday wishes from artists  contributing to his latest recording project Duets II,slated for release next month.

Shar House

These are photos taken during a recent visit to a drug rehabilitation and self-help addiction center Shar House. Our church has adopted one of the rooms which is in the process of being redecorated and spruced up by some spirit filled sisters.

 What I loved most about the place was the spirit of genuine sharing that embodies its philosophy to the extent that it is in fact a reality, not just a superficially promoted slogan. The house is truly built of  community efforts of the various churches and organizations that come together to adopt individual rooms and beautifully decorate them with amazing wall colors,window treatments,art work, stripped,varnished and glistening hardwood floors. It demonstrated what can be done when people really come together in a spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with love in their hearts.  No duress or coercion involved,simply inspiration.

The above pictures were taken of the walls inthe conference room which,as you can see, were filled with encouraging and uplifting aphorisms.

Michael Jackson Brothers Object To Timing of Tribute Concert

An enthusiastic announcement made by LaToya Jackson yesterday about a Michael Jackson tribute concert to take places in Cardiff,Wales on October 8 of this year is not supported by his entire family as two of his brothers object to the timing. The proposed concert has apparently caused dissension in the family. The event has been swiftly rejected by brothers Randy and Jermaine, it appearing the concert would be in conflict with Dr. Conrad Murray’s trial currently scheduled during the same time as the concert. The brothers have expresed that the best tribute is to see that Michael receives justice. Mother, Katherine Jackson says its a fitting tribute for her son and plans to be in attendance with the rest of his siblings.

A DistinctivelyTalented Voice Silenced by Untimely Death- Amy Winehouse Joins Ranks of '27 Club'

The talented singer who had been battling an addiction to drugs and recent challenges in rehab-one of her biggest hits entitled the same-was found dead in her London home earlier today. The cause of her death has not yet been determined. Winehouse made her mark on the music scene at the 2008 Grammy Awards when she won five of the prestigious honors. While some are speculating that she died of a drug related overdose,her fans are hoping that she will not be remembered as a drug plagued artist in light of her very notable singing talent which inspired many singers old and new school alike. Her contralto vocal talents were respected among noted soul and R&B musicians. She has sold five million records worlwide. Amy was 27 years old at the time of her death and shares this in common with other pop culture greats who lived rather short lives in the spotlight although their talents were legendary. Dubbed by music fans as the 27 Club,it includes Jimi Hendrix,Janice Joplin, Curt Cobain and Jim Morrison of the Doors. Winehouse’s wealth has been estimated at 20 million. She just last month had to cancel her European tour for a performance at the Serbia concert venue. She was unable to carry a tune as she made an attempt to sing her hit song “Back to Black”. The audience booed her off the stage. May grace and peace surround the Winehouse family as they deal with the tragedy of Amy’s untimely death. Our prayers go out to her entire family as well as friends mourning her untimely death. Another great talent gone too soon.

It seems a tremendous waste of an incredible talent enjoyed by millions.

Once again, another promising and rising talent gone much too soon.

Read more about it here.

Martha Reeves and Other Detroit Greats Rock Out at Don Was All Star Revue

Saturday evening marked the third night of the city of Detroit's 19th Annual Diversity Festival, the multicultural and multi-genre Concert of Colors. Don Was' Detroit All-Star Revue concert venue was abuzz with performances from a variety of Detroit legends including Martha Reeves,Mitch Ryder, Melvin Davis and United Sound,Ivan Kral,Carolyn Striho, Black Irish,Jim McCarty and  jazz musician Wendell Harrison.

Most of them have been around for many years rocking the house down and waving various genres of the rock and roll flag. They all showed the packed house what they had, some even shook what their momma gave them while  exhibiting what has made many of them household names locally as well as recipients of international acclaim. Don Was with a Detroit cool and subtle panache wizzed his way around stage flipping hats between Masters of Ceremonies,guitar and bass acompaniment throughout most of the performances. Was is a producer and has been in the studio with  multiple Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter, Rolling Stone guitar god John Mayer, working on his upcoming release "Born and Raised" which is scheduled for an October release. While Was' presence on stage was subtle, there was no mistaking his maestro regard and respect among the artists who were a part of  his revue.

The stage was lit up for almost two hours with jazz,blues,rock,soul,funk and rock and roll with what sounded like a little folksy polka during the Striho set. Motown legend Martha Reeves with back up singers and dance routines in tow, rocked the house with an energetic performance of Dancing in the Streets. Her performance started out with great energy which had the audience dancing in the aisles and up front near the stage throughout her set. She was backed by two family members who were as energetic and full of enthusiasm as she.  A celebration of  her 70th birthday that night involved everyone in the house and a multi-layered cake was rolled out on stage along with directives to the audience to sing Happy Birthday. She thanked Don Was for inviting her, gave him a warm hug and appeared genuinely happy to be a part of the show.

Other show highlights included the performance by the legendary Mitch Ryder leader of the Detroit Wheels back up band. Mitch was joined by Detroit Wheel Jimmy McCarty who had earlier in the concert performed a stellar blues guitar on "Got to Help Me"  which received a standing ovation from the audience. Ivan Kral performed a song which he said he had to have someone special to write the lyrics.  He revealed that someone as Patti Smith in homage to the famous singer songwriter as he segued into a performance of the song.

Melvin Davis backed up by his band United Sound gave an electrifyingly soulful performnce and Black Irish a rock band nearly blew the roof off the Max Fisher Center with some rousing rock guitar. When the concert drew to a close, one of the show's organizers who came from the backstage area to celebrate Martha Reeves' birthday made a point of  making closing remarks to the audience which reminded me somewhat of the benediction of preacher gives the congregation at the close of a Sunday morning worship service.  He expressed thoughts of togetherness and harmony as he sealed the close of the concert with " remember we are all in this together."  It was a "Concert of Colors" to remember.

Serena Williams' Court 2 Assignment: Engineering Derision and Racial Superiority with a Full Court Press?

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When I read the news yesterday about how Serena had been relegated to Court Two (2) I was baffled. The inferences being drawn and the questions it has stirred concerning racism and sexism at Wimbledon has sparked a lively interest in the goings on in that rather prestigious competition. I thought I was reading perhaps a very dated article from a very old publication   There must have been some  time warp that had taken place in the media and real time. I obviously had not gotten the full scoop or had  read the print clearly. After all this is the 21st century and we are definitely not in the 50's or 60's when racism frequently reared its ugly head. Selena and Venus were not even born then. And, of course Europe was usually a safe haven, a destination of escape from the limitations of  race politics, particularly for black entertainers and athletes of renown.

Sometimes blatant and frequently subtle, psychological assaults laced with innuendoes of inferiority were standard fare for black people in America. Whether they lived South under the constant restrictions of Jim Crow laws which created separate areas for blacks whether  at "colored only"drinking fountains, restaurants and bus passenger sections or  up North, where blacks were contained  by urban blight and underemployment. Northerners were just a smidgen more sophisticated, sort of like the Brits were at Wimbledon about how they ,whether on purpose or by accident, meted out the subtle doses of  superiority. Call it a 'supremacy cocktail' served with a twist.
 
The message--resolve to dominate at all costs regardless of expense, hurt or slight  to others. No. It could not possibly be racism. There's no such thing.
 
In today's world what was done to Serena would be almost laughable, if it weren't so demeaning... deriding one of the most accomplished women in tennis history with  that kind of slight.  In modern parlance Serena was"dissed" by  Wimbledon officials--those who are responsible for doing the "behind the scenes logistics".  A white counterpart with no winnings or championship status on a par with she and her sister Venus was assigned to play in center court before the Queen of England. That's right... center court while  an icon of the game was discreetly set to the side effectively cut off from the opportunity and obscured from the honor. She was placed in an off center area restricted from center court view and yes, maybe even 'Royal' juice.

The timing for this slight could not have been better. Serena unlikely as she currently is to make a big stink about it, certainly out of respect for the Queen. And, after a bout with a physical illness, she recently gave a testimony, eyes filled with tears, about how overjoyed  she was to be healthy enough to return to the game.  Then there was the media play up of disgruntled remarks she made last year in response to a referee's call resulting in very bad press...
 
With all due respect for the Queen who undoubtedly had nothing to do with the placement, and those at Wimbledon, who seemed sympathetic, the situation still bears correcting. While Serena may not demand it, those who love the game and all that she has contributed should be concerned. Yes. She is rich and has won numerous Tennis championships,including four (4) Wimbledons singles titles. So, what's the big deal? Well, speaking up is a start in preventing wrong signals from being perpetuated in the future either inadvertently or intentionally by future 'court assignment engineers' and will contribute to the healing process. She must have had her feelings hurt if nothing else by this incident.  A show of support by making caring comments of concern should boost her morale. If  the Court 2 assignment was indeed made based on the fact that she was black then that only compounded the injury.